SFEmanu-El

CHRONICLE VOLUME CLXX, NO. 22 | NOVEMBER 2019 | 3 CHESHVAN – 2 KISLEV 5780

NOV

15YFE Family Shabbat

NOV

13CASE AGAINST White Nationalism

20th Anniversary OF LATE SHABBAT!

NOV

10KRISTALLNACHT EVENT— The Mitzvah Project

UPCOMING EVENTS

2 SEPTEMBER 2019

November Shabbat CalendarFriday, November 15:30 pm, First Friday Under Five Service — Special Baby Blessing for all babies born in last year (5779) (Martin Meyer Sanctuary)6:00 pm, Classic Shabbat Service(Main Sanctuary)

Saturday, November 210:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Main Sanctuary)10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)

Friday, November 86:00 pm, One Shabbat Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)8:30 pm, 20th Anniversary Young Adult Late Shabbat Service (Main Sanctuary)

Saturday, November 910:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Main Sanctuary)10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)

Friday, November 156:00 pm, One Shabbat Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)

Saturday, November 1610:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Main Sanctuary)

Friday, November 226:00 pm, One Shabbat Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)

Saturday, November 2310:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)10:30 am, Shabbat Morning Service(Main Sanctuary)

Friday, November 296:00 pm, One Shabbat Service(Martin Meyer Sanctuary)

2 NOVEMBER 2019

Late Shabbat 20th Anniversary Service Friday, November 8, 8:30 pm

Late Shabbat is turning 20! After two decades of building Jewish community amongst 20- and 30-year-olds in the Bay Area, we invite the entire Emanu-El community and Late Shabbat-ers past and present to come together for an evening of celebration and reflection.

The Emanu-El Spotlight section in this issue of the Chronicle focuses on Late Shabbat.

Annual MeetingSunday, November 17, 9:30 – 11:00 am, Martin Meyer Sanctuary

At our 170th Annual Meeting, join us for a preview of Emanu-El Next, a project dedicated to improving our space within the existing Lake Street building and enhancing our programs — now and for future generations. You’ll also get a chance to welcome and vote on our new slate of Directors: Robert Blum, Alia Gorkin, Julie Levine, Robert Newman, and Matt Van Horn.

True story: There was a famous American Rabbi who

often traveled by plane and always ended up in

conversation with the person sitting next to him. Inevitably,

that person would ask, “So, what do you do for a living?”

Based on his experience, the Rabbi knew if he divulged

his profession, his seatmate, if Jewish, would invariably

launch into a story about a negative interaction he’d had

with a Rabbi. The Rabbi never came to visit his mom in

the hospital. The Rabbi at his bar mitzvah had bad breath.

The complaints went on and on... So, when asked about

his line of work, the Rabbi learned to simply smile and

respond with “You know the matzas you eat on Passover?

I’m responsible for making sure the holes are all in the right

places. That’s my job.”

That was a long time ago, and I like to think that, these

days, the stories about Rabbis are mostly positive. Reform

Rabbis have come a long way in our understanding of

what it means to lead and serve Jewish communities in the

21st century.

Ours is a complex dance — to uphold the standards of Jewish practice while meeting the needs of the Jewish people.

If Rabbis are unbending in upholding the “rules,” people

will simply leave. But if Rabbis say “yes” no matter the

impact of the request on the integrity of this several-

thousand-year-old evolving religious civilization, we are

not true leaders. We make mistakes, but we try to exercise

leadership with the goal of transmitting Judaism, not just

to the next generation but to the one after that.

In small towns across America, there is one Rabbi. If you

are a Jew or part of a Jewish family and you belong to one

of these small-town synagogues, you might love the Rabbi,

or perhaps you can’t stand the Rabbi, or she’s simply not

your cup of tea. But this is the Rabbi who will officiate

at your wedding, name your babies, lead your bat or bar

mitzvah service, visit you in the hospital, and preside over

your funeral. This Rabbi will easily deliver all five sermons

throughout the High Holy Days, whether or not you

appreciate his message and speaking style.

You know where I am going

with this, right? How lucky we

are at Congregation Emanu-El

to have Rabbi Stephen Pearce

as our Emeritus. Let me tell

you, you cannot find a finer,

more supportive or generous

Emeritus than Rabbi Pearce.

Rabbi Larry Kushner is our

world class Scholar Rabbi

in Residence. Rabbis Mintz

and Bauer are our Senior

Associate Rabbis, with years

of experience and hundreds of beloved relationships.

Rabbis Fenves and Rodich are the resident “young”

equally treasured and talented Rabbis on our clergy team.

Rabbi Jonathan Singer and I developed a unique model

as co-equal Senior Rabbis, guiding the vision of this great

historic place.

Over the course of the year, you will hear multiple

sermonic voices as we all take turns teaching and

preaching. You may find a particular Rabbi with whom you

develop a closer relationship. I believe that each Emanu-El

Rabbi has quite a “following.” But every year when I speak

to the preschool and religious school parents, I encourage

everyone to “collect the set.” Congregants who have

bonded with multiple Rabbis know that it can be an asset

to feel a sense of connection to more than one Rabbi. And

regardless of how much you love the Rabbis, the real goal

is loving the Emanu-El community more than any one

individual. The Congregation is not here for the Rabbis; the

Rabbis are here for the Congregation.

And what about our remarkable Cantors? That is for

another essay!

SHALOM RAV FROM OUR RABBIBy Richard and Rhoda Goldman Senior Rabbi Beth Singer

EMANU-EL SF 3

4 NOVEMBER 2019

Rosh Hashanah 5780

September 30, 2019

Shana Tovah! And welcome! My name is Alan Greinetz, and on behalf of our Board of Directors, I am deeply honored to address you on this important day. It is a privilege for me to serve this historic institution and its members. In this role, I follow Donny Friend, who led our Congregation for four years with heartfelt passion, incredible vision, and leadership. Donny is such a gift to our community.

This year marks the 171st time our community has celebrated the High Holy Days together. From the first Temple building, located on Broadway, to Sutter Street, and now here at Lake and Arguello, our Congregation has grown from a handful of founding families to more than 2,000 families today. Our magnificent sanctuary and courtyard were completed in 1926, with the Temple building completed the following year, thanks to the tzedakah of the approximately 250 families that contributed to its construction.

Over the past few years, you have heard about our plans to update. Although our sanctuary remains breathtakingly beautiful, the remainder of our complex needs renovation so that it can serve our Congregation for future generations. The time has now come for our community, as set forth in the Torah, to “build the Temple.” In our case, we will be renovating and rebuilding, but the sacred nature of the task is unquestionable. It is our time to step up.

In the Talmud is a story about a man named Honi who sees a much older man laboring in the hot sun to plant trees. Honi asked the man why he was working so hard, since the trees would not bear fruit or be large enough to provide shade until well after the man was dead. The man’s answer was simple: His forefathers planted trees that provided him cool shade and fruit to eat, and as such it was his obligation to do the same for those who follow him. This simple story demonstrates our sacred obligation to pay it forward. As we experience the fruit that this community has given us, how can we not think about those who built it for us?

A small but dedicated group of members and staff, guided by the Board, has been working diligently, along with a first class team of professionals, to develop our renovation and improvement project. Emanu-El Next will renovate, expand, and update our facility so it can better serve us as well as future generations. Emanu-El Next will create more usable space within our existing footprint while preserving the historic nature of our structure. Our guiding principles are to: (1) create sacred space that is safer and more secure, that will make people feel welcomed when they enter; (2) create space to support more intimate gatherings and improve the space we have for joyous celebrations; (3) build a state-of-the-art education space to teach our children the love of our tradition; and (4) ensure financial accessibility with a large addition to our endowment as an integral component. The renovated building will include green features, use sustainable materials, and be much more energy efficient. And with regard to security, in light of all the recent disturbing

events across our country, we are implementing the most significant security strengthening in a decade.

The full scope and details of Emanu-El Next will be shared on Monday evening, October 28, at a town-hall-style meeting, and at our Annual Meeting on Sunday morning, November 17. You are all encouraged to attend these events.

An enormous and heartfelt thanks to Donny Friend and Doug Goldman who have agreed to serve our community as Co-Chairs of Emanu-El Next. We have already secured commitments totaling more than 64 percent of our goal. Our Board and a small group of generous donors have made extraordinary gifts

that will now serve as a solid foundation for Emanu-El Next.

Here is a recent correspondence from two members (shared with their permission): “Alan, we are simply doing our part to honor those who came before us and to pay it forward to those who will follow us. Thank you for affording us an opportunity to do right by others. L’dor V’dor. It is really just as simple as that. The institution of our Temple has meant the world to us, and the actual building itself has always brought us so much joy and pride. We hope that pride will be experienced by the next generation and the generations after them so that not only our Congregation, but the community of San Francisco, will feel pride in a building that stands for so many things to so many people. Thank you all for the work you are doing to ensure our Congregation will live on beyond our lifetimes.”

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

The time has now

come for our community, as set forth in the

Torah, to “build the Temple.”

As President of this Congregation, I am inspired by the spirit and culture of generosity in our community. Rebuilding our Temple together will demonstrate the true meaning of tzedakah. Reform Judaism, as manifested at Emanu-El starting in 1849, represented leading and embracing change by seeking to redefine the traditional Jewish experience. We have never wavered in our commitment to remain in front of the curve. Renovating and rebuilding our facility to serve our community for the next century demonstrates our commitment to leading and embracing change as the inevitable reality of a vibrant culture and healthy society.

I acknowledge the dedicated leadership and guidance provided by the 22 members of our Board, with a special shout-out to their spouses/partners and family members. I thank my wife Susie for her support and understanding, without which I could not enjoy the honor to serve. I also remember my father, who taught me just about everything I know about being Jewish, and who showed me how to give back to the community, simply by doing the work. My father never told my sisters and I how to be righteous members of the community; he exemplified it. What I learned from my father has inspired me and resulted in the joy I experience as a member of this sacred community.

In closing, I would like to shine a spotlight on our world class clergy and management here at Emanu-El. We are fortunate to have the opportunity, week in and week out, to be inspired, guided, educated, and/or comforted by our fabulous clergy, and our management team is as strong as they come.

The first words I spoke to you today were “Shana Tova,” which is commonly translated as a wish for a “happy new year.” The source of the word “happy” is the Icelandic word “happ,” which means “luck” or “chance” — the same source of the words “haphazard” and “happenstance.” The Hebrew words for happiness do not connote amusement or fun, but rather have a deeper meaning, more like wellbeing. Happiness in Hebrew means that a person is living a righteous life and, as a result, the person flourishes. Judaism recognizes that cultivating virtue and good character in a person are what is necessary for human wellbeing, and thus happiness. It is in that context that I once again wish all of you a deeply heartfelt Shana Tova!

Alan Greinetz President of the Board

EMANU-EL SF 5

Join us for an info session about the trip on Sunday, November 3 at 12:30 pm at the Temple.

6 NOVEMBER 2019

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Mitzvah Project:Annual Kristallnacht CommemorationSunday, November 10, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Martin Meyer SanctuaryCongregation Emanu-El is proud to present The Mitzvah Project, an engrossing one-person play and lecture, created and performed by Roger Grunwald. The Mitzvah Project is a dramatic exploration of the history (and tragedy) of the tens of thousands of Germans of Jewish descent known by the Nazis as “Mischlinge.” The play and lecture engage several socio-historical issues: “Who decides the meaning of culture, race, and ethnicity?” “How is one’s identity determined?” “Why do we demonize ‘the other?’”

This free program is open to the entire community and is intended to spark intergenerational conversation. Although recommended for those 11 years and older, younger kids may attend the program at parental discretion.

Grunwald, a San Francisco native and the son of an Auschwitz survivor, has been touring The Mitzvah Project since 2014. The play tells the story of a half-Jewish First Lieutenant serving in Hitler’s army. It is also about a Polish Jew from Bialystok who crosses paths with the Lieutenant during the darkest days of the Holocaust. Grunwald’s lecture explores the tragic backstory of the tens of thousands of half- and quarter-German Jews who served in the Wehrmacht. These so-called “Mischlinge” were the product of two centuries of German-Jewish assimilation, intermarriage, and conversion, and the striving of a people committed to calling the German fatherland their home.

Over the past several years, The Mitzvah Project has been presented at Oxford University, University College London, Hebrew University, Ben Gurion University, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie, Stanford, the Claremont Colleges, and the University of Pennsylvania.

To learn more about The Mitzvah Project, register online at www.emanuelsf.org/learning/adult-education

Psychedelics & Music: A Conversation and Sound BathSaturday, November 2, 6:30 – 9:30 pmThis two part evening will begin with Rabbi Sydney Mintz conversing with Dr. Richard Miller, (Psychedelic Medicine) in a discussion about how psychedelic medicines are having a healing impact on the dying process. (6:30 – 7:30 pm)

Followed by featured performers: Loriel Starr and Gary Malkin (with special guests Tammi Brown and Timothy Surya Das) preseting an exquisite multi-dimensional sound bath experience with layered soundscapes, singing bowls, gongs, keyboards, vocals, didgeridoo, and more! (8:00 – 9:30 pm). Learn more to attend here: https://letsreimagine.org/

Tickets: $25

EMANU-EL SF 7 EMANU-EL SF 7

Integrity First For America November 13, 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm)Do you wish you could do something about white nationalism? Congregation Emanu-El is honored to be hosting Integrity First for America (IFA), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to holding accountable those who threaten the longstanding principles of our democracy. IFA is leading the charge against the white nationalist movement in a landmark court case to send a clear message that violence and hate have no place in our country. Join Rabbi Jason Rodich in conversation with the lead attorneys on the case: Roberta Kaplan, who successfully argued for marriage equality before the US Supreme Court; Karen Dunn, an award-winning trial attorney; and Amy Spitalnick, IFA’s Executive Director.

This event is co-sponsored by Grace Cathedral, the Jewish Center for Justice, the Jewish Community Federation, the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Religious Action Center, the San Francisco Interfaith Council, Sha’ar Zahav, and the Unity Group. No charge, but please RSVP. 

Roberta Kaplan

Karen Dunn

Amy Spitalnick

YFE Family Shabbat Dinner Join us for a new monthly family-focused Shabbat experience on third Fridays! Friday, November 15, 6:00 pm for services, 7:00 pm for dinnerStarting this November, we are very excited to offer a new family-focused Shabbat experience, for families with children ages 5 – 13, on the third Friday of every month. Join us for the One Shabbat service (including a pull-out story for kids), followed by a catered communal dinner featuring age-appropriate activities for children.

Registration is required. Mark your calendar and join us on November 15 as we launch this new Shabbat experience!

8 NOVEMBER 2019

When Rabbi Sydney Mintz joined the Emanu-El clergy in 1997, she recognized that there were no programs

dedicated to young Jews in the Bay Area. So a couple years later, she and Cantor Marsha Attie joined forces with Larissa Siegel, the first coordinator of our Young Adult Program, to create an innovative program that would eventually draw in tens of thousands of young adult Jews. Over the subsequent two decades — with strong support from our Young Adult Leadership Committee, Temple staff, and our Board of Directors — the Young Adult Program flourished! Rabbi Mintz, Cantor Attie, and Rabbi Rodich (who joined the team in 2015) have welcomed, introduced, danced with, counseled, taught, connected, married, named babies for, and created a Jewish home for literally an entire generation of young Bay Area Jews. Having entered synagogue life at Emanu-El in the 1990s in the first cohort of Young Adult leaders, our Executive Director David Goldman himself is the poster boy for the process of evolving into a communal leader.

We are grateful to the John and Lisa Pritzker Family Fund for its incredible generosity to our Young Adult program.

In 2005, the Jewish Community Federation awarded our Young Adult Program’s “Late Shabbat” as Program of the Year — the first time a synagogue received a program award from the Federation! We are exceedingly proud of the impact Late Shabbat has had on so many young Jews, and we look forward to our next 20 years together!

And now we present to you three voices from our Late Shabbat community: Barak Ben-Gal, Rachel Melman, and Justin Young.

Barak Ben-Gal How did you learn about Late Shabbat and what made you attend?BB-G: I was born in Israel and was raised as a secular Jew. I did not feel very connected to Judaism until I was in college, where I felt very alone before the Jewish holidays and really wanted to celebrate as part of a community. I found a wonderful community at my university Hillel and started attending services. After graduating from college in 1996, I was left without a connection to any congregation in Boston, so I just stopped attending services. But when I moved to San Francisco in 1999, I wanted to re-connect to a Jewish community. I “shopped” several other congregations closer to my apartment, but heard about the “Young Adult Shabbat” from one of my friends and decided to give it a shot (even though it was on the other side of town). Needless to say, after the first time I was hooked!

What made Late Shabbat so special compared to other Jewish experiences you have had?BB-G: I loved the energy that I felt the moment I walked into the room. It was so welcoming of new people, so vibrant and inclusive. I’d look around and see a group of people that looked and felt like me, who were searching for a similar connection to Judaism, who were new to the city/congregation, who had a passion for social justice. I felt that I could meet new friends here, which in fact happened. I LOVED the music with Marsha Attie, and found myself singing some of the melodies throughout the weekend and really bringing the spirit of Shabbat with me for days following the service (today I still sing some of those melodies to my daughter). And of course, Rabbi Mintz’ drash was a big part of the draw: I felt that it was relevant, fresh, and able to bring a Jewish perspective to today’s world — applying some of our ancient wisdom from the week’s parasha to the present day.

EMANU-EL SPOTLIGHT:20 YEARS OF LATE SHABBAT!

EMANU-EL SF 9

How have Late Shabbats and the Young Adult community impacted you? BB-G: I became excited about Judaism again, so much so that I joined the Young Adult Leadership Committee and was able to learn more about the wider community of the synagogue, think about ways we could work outside of just the Young Adult community (I’m still very proud of our intergenerational bridge playing season), and take a leadership position on social justice. I met amazing people — some of whom were at my wedding (and I at theirs), some of whom were at my house for Rosh Hashanah this past month, some who visited me in Israel and Italy during my time living abroad. I have found myself singing the Young Adult community melodies to my daughter, talking about some of the ideas from the drash at home and work, and even giving advice to budding Reform communities abroad (in Rome) based on my experience at Emanu-El. Most importantly, my husband (who is not Jewish) loves the Young Adult Late Shabbat and would willingly join me for their events. And we had Marsha and Sydney perform our daughter’s baby naming.

What’s your reaction to the tremendous success of this experiment you helped create? BB-G: When we first realized that this experiment was working, that it wasn’t a fluke and that the community of young adults was strong and vibrant and growing, I felt very proud, but also wondered how much of this success was due to the magic of Marsha’s voice and Sydney’s wisdom, wit, and personality. Now, decades later, we’ve seen that this community’s success has continued with the addition of new Rabbis and even an additional Cantor. There really is something there, and now I think our next experiment is how to fill this gap for the “Young at Heart” community. In other words, if we who were the founders are no longer “Young Adults” (which, 20 years later is usually the case), then where do we go from here if we love the non-traditional nature of the service we have lived for the last two decades?

What did you like best about the Young Adult community and being a Young Adult leader?BB-G: My favorite part of the service was singing the Hashkivenu, when we’d turn off the lights and sing. That’s the song I sing most to my daughter when she goes to sleep on Friday nights. Outside the service, what I liked most was the feeling that anything was possible, that we could design new programs and they would be supported by the synagogue. Everything from doing study sessions downtown at lunchtime for busy tech professionals to learning how to play bridge so we could find a point of connectivity and play with our elders was new and exciting.

Being a Young Adult leader was really magical. You had the support of the synagogue leadership, you were able to take new ideas and turn them into concrete programs that could be enjoyed by real people, and you had the great privilege of welcoming people — both existing friends and people new to the community — as they came to join a program or service. I miss it!

Can you believe it’s been 20 years?!BB-G: Honestly, no! I was sitting at a service recently at Martin Meyer and realized that it was 20 years ago when I first sat in these seats. I had a flashback of all the faces that had sat next to me over the decades — faces that have accompanied me through the years in good times and bad, both here in the Bay Area and in my travels around the world. I look at the people who now fill those benches and I wonder where they will be 20 years from now. Wherever their paths take them, I hope they take some of Emanu-El’s Young Adult magic with them to spread around the world.

Rachel MelmanHow did you hear about Late Shabbat and what made you attend initially?RM: When I was moving to San Francisco, my mom’s best friend told me that there was a really vibrant young adult Jewish community in San Francisco. So, I checked it out to try to build a new social circle.

What was different about this experience compared with other Jewish experiences you’ve had?RM: I moved to San Francisco from San Diego, where I had begun my journey of finding a Jewish community. In San Diego, I had attended a young adult service at a conservative synagogue; that service had about 20 to 30 people in attendance. When I walked into my first Late Shabbat and had to sit in the balcony, I was floored by how many young Jews came to services.

(continued on the next page)

EMANU-EL SF 9

EMANU-EL SPOTLIGHT (CONTINUED)

How have Late Shabbats and Young Adult community affected you? RM: This community has seen me through some difficult times. When I had surgery and spent a week in the hospital, not only did Rabbi Fenves bring Shabbat to my hospital room and visit me at home while I recovered, but the Young Adult Leadership Committee created a meal train for me, which kept me sane for the weeks during which I couldn’t really do much post-surgery. Rabbi Mintz also helped me through a difficult breakup a few years later. The Young Adult community became my home. The friendships I made at Late Shabbat have been the foundation of my support system in San Francisco — and they endure, even as my friends move to different parts of the world and different life stages. And, of course, being part of the Young Adult Leadership Committee led to my position on the Board of Directors, which has been an incredibly rewarding experience.

What’s your reaction to the incredible success of this experiment that you helped create? RM: So often we hear that young Jews are not engaged. But when you see the turn-out at Late Shabbat and all the events, that can’t possibly be true. I think this experiment was really about creating space for people to explore themselves and their Jewish identities, and not expecting them to follow exactly in the footsteps of prior generations. What we’ve learned is that young adults want to celebrate their Judaism and cultivate it for future generations to come. More personally, Emanu-El gave me the opportunity to steer the Young Adult ship and make my imprint on the community. This city and this community are so welcoming of people of every creed and color, that it reminds me every day to look beyond the surface because something incredible is waiting there, if you’ll just take the time to look.

What did you like best about the Young Adult community and being a Young Adult leader?RM: I loved the bar mitzvah party. There was something wonderfully irreverent about it and reliving the “bar mitzvah circuit” as an adult. Really, though, it’s the relationships that I built that I truly cherish. On the Young Adult Leadership Committee, I had a sense of pride being a leader of the committee, especially when standing at the front of the Congregation during Late Shabbat. There was a responsibility that I felt looking out on the Congregation, to ensure that we kept innovating and growing this community.

Can you believe it’s been 20 years?!RM: Not at all!

Justin Young What made you attend your first Late Shabbat?JY: When I moved from Southern California to San Francisco in August of 2012, I was told by my cousin that Late Shabbat is the thing to do on the second Friday every month! I am so glad that I moved to San Francisco, and that the Friday I moved up happened to be the second Friday! I remember I went over to her house for a pre-Shabbos oneg before that fateful Late Shabbat. The moment services started, and we called to prayer by Rabbi Mintz, Rabbi Fenves, and Cantor Attie, I knew this was the community that I wanted to be part of and my type of Shabbat services. The following Monday, I signed up as a member of the Congregation.

What made Late Shabbat so special or different from your other Jewish experiences?JY: It is hard for me to describe in words. I have always been a spiritual Jew, but had trouble being spiritual in services. This was not the case with Late Shabbat. I immediately and always felt a spiritual connection praying during Late Shabbat services. For the five years I lived in San Francisco, I hated when I missed Late Shabbat services. I would plan weekend trips months out so I wouldn’t miss that second Friday. When friends — both Jewish and non-Jewish — were visiting on a second Friday, I would bring them to Late Shabbat. When my now wife, Lauren, who I met through the Jewish community, decided to move in, it was important to us to live relatively close to Emanu-El. The great news was that it was only a ten-minute walk to Emanu-El, so we began walking to Shabbat services! I have never been part of a Young Adult community where I felt so welcomed and engaged. As a result of these connections, I decided I wanted to get more involved. This led me to join the Young Adult Leadership Committee, which only deepened my connection to the Jewish community.

How has Late Shabbat and your experiences with the Young Adult community changed your life?JY: It has changed my life in so many ways. I am forever grateful for the relationships I built as a result of being involved in the Young Adult community, my deepened spirituality as a result of the Young Adult services, and being able to be involved in a community that I had the chance to help shape and grow. The Young Adult community at Emanu-El was truly my life while I lived in San Francisco. The meaningful friendships I built were because of Emanu-El’s Young Adult community,

10 NOVEMBER 2019

including meeting my wife, Lauren. We had the wonderful blessing of having Rabbi Mintz marry us because of our relationship to Emanu-El’s Young Adult community. I had the opportunity to serve on the hiring committee for Rabbi Rodich. Both Rabbi Mintz and Rabbi Rodich have served as my spiritual mentors and have been there to support me in the good and bad times. Lauren and I both deeply miss living in San Francisco.

What’s your reaction to the incredible success of this experiment that you helped create?JY: I think it’s incredible! I am part of this success story, as my wife and I met in the Jewish community in San Francisco, participated in Chuppah and Beyond, and were married by Rabbi Mintz! It is amazing! Our Jewish experience since leaving San Francisco has not been the same. Over the past two-and-a-half years of not living in San Francisco, every time I am in a service or at an event, I enjoy it, but it is not the experience or feeling I had at Emanu-El. That special feeling will never be recreated anywhere else, and I am so grateful and blessed to have been a part of the community for five years.

What did you like best about the Young Adult community and being a Young Adult leader?JY: I can’t name one favorite. But to name a few: Being with young Jewish adults regardless of the event, Late Shabbat, Young Adult Summer Camp, Chuppah and Beyond, our Sukkot Happy Hours, Young Adult Leadership Committee meetings, the rabbinic search committee, and so much more! Being a Young Adult leader was one of the greatest feelings in the world. Coming up for announcements at Late Shabbat and looking out to see the synagogue packed was incredible. Serving with a group of like-minded individuals to grow and provide for the Young Adult Jewish community was inspiring. I miss that feeling! Late Shabbats were amazing.

Can you believe it’s been 20 years?!JY: That’s insane! And here’s to another 20 years!!!

 

EMANU-EL SF 11

As a large Congregation, we recognize the importance of small group connection, so we create many opportunities for learning, socializing, and enjoying local culture together. Refer to the Community or Social Justice pages on our website for more information and staff contact information. Remember to register online in

the MyEmanu-El portal for all of these programs (unless otherwise noted below) so we know to expect you.

Your Community Engagement Team:

Randi Fields Senior Director of Membership and Engagement Operations rfields@emanuelsf.org, x119

Rabbi Sarah Joselow Parris Director of Congregational Engagementsparris@emanuelsf.org, x124

Ariana Estoque Director of Member Experienceaestoque@emanuelsf.org, X111

Georgina Garcia Front Desk Officerggarcia@emanuelsf.org, x0

Rebecca Reiner Community Engagement Coordinator & Assistant to Rabbi Bauerrreiner@emanuelsf.org, x170

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Weekday Activities at the TempleChoose one or more and participate!

Cooking for Congregants Thursday, November 28, 9:00 – 11:00 am, Emanu-El Kitchen

No charge

Be one of two volunteers — under the guidance of former restaurant owner Gail Laghi and chef Sari Swig — helping to make meals for congregants in need. Here’s just one of the many expressions of appreciation for this program:

“Thank you so much. Sari just dropped off a week’s worth of meals for my family and me. I can’t tell you how surprised I am by this generosity. Please let the Cooking for Congregants team know that I am so grateful for this lovely gift. With lots of gratitude.”

While there are limited volunteer slots for Cooking for Congregants due to the layout of our kitchen, you can also help by calling the Temple office whenever you learn of a congregant who is grieving or ill or has become a new parent. By law, hospitals will not release patient information, so clergy and staff rely on YOU to enable us to reach out.

New participants are always welcome. Registration is required on the Temple website by the Tuesday before cooking day. Questions? Contact Rebecca Reiner at (415) 751-2541 x170.

ScrabbleMondays (except when the Temple is closed), 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5th floor

No charge; drop in

Do you love Scrabble and the challenge of putting letters together to form words?

Join our scrabble group and play a rousing game or two! Perfect your word skills and expand your social circle. All ages and experience levels are invited.

Mah Jongg Tuesdays (except when the Temple is closed), 1:30 pm

No charge; drop in

Join us for American Mah Jongg! Open to players at all levels — from beginner to expert — but you must have some knowledge of the game as there will be no teaching at this time. Please arrive in the first half-hour if you have any questions.

Bridge Club – Lessons and Game Tuesdays, 10:00 am – noon

Cost: $20 for members; $25 for friends of members

Drop in

If you are beyond the level of novice, join this monthly group for duplicate-style bridge. Play while improving your game with pointers from Deborah Murphy, certified bridge instructor and American Contract Bridge League champion.

12 NOVEMBER 2019

EMANU-EL SF 13

Congregant Groups & Gatherings

Baby & Toddler Groups Available! Bagels and BabiesMondays and Fridays, 9:30 – 11:00 am, Martin Meyer Reception

Cost: FREE for members; $10/session for non-members (first session free)

Drop in with your little one (birth to 2 years) and spend time with other parents. Join us as we prepare to welcome Shabbat on Fridays and celebrate Havdalah on Mondays. Enjoy music, stories, puppets and more with Early Childhood Educator Mimi Greisman. Take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents and create lasting friendships.

Side By Side Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Cost: $360 for members; $485 for non-members

Emanu-El’s Side by Side program introduces our youngest children (18 months to 2.5 years) to a preschool environment with their parent or caregiver by their side. Our Side by Side program is rich in Jewish content, celebrating Jewish traditions and holidays. This program is a wonderful introduction to preschool that deepens relationships in our community and launches a meaningful beginning to the school experience for both parents and children.

There are two sessions per week for 8 weeks (16 total sessions). Register now for the fall 2019 program – contact Katie Saleh, Administrative Coordinator, via email at KSaleh@emanuelsf.org!

Men’s Group Sunday, November 10, 9:30 – 11:30 am

Men of Congregation Emanu-El have a monthly opportunity to socialize and study with a member of the clergy at a private home. This cross-generational group provides a small group experience so important to building community. This month, you will have the opportunity to study with Senior Rabbi Jonathan Singer.

Men’s Group events are congregant only and require registration. All events are from 9:30 to 11:30 am, unless otherwise noted. If you have questions, contact Rebecca Reiner at rreiner@emanuelsf.org or (415) 751-2531 x170.

Thanks to a donation from a member of the Men’s Group, the majority of gatherings are now offered for free.

The Tribe for Men – USF Don’s Basketball Coach Todd Golden: A Basketball Journey with Jewish RootsTuesday, November 12, 7:00 pm, Guild Hall

Come join us to hear Todd Golden, head men’s basketball coach of the University of San Francisco (USF) Dons and the second youngest Division I college coach in the country. Todd has a unique perspective as both a Division I and international professional athlete, as well as being an assistant for two successful Division I collegiate programs and now working as a head coach. Hear about Todd’s journey and how his Jewish heritage has guided his life and basketball journey.

Tribe for Women Pre-Salon with Integrity First for AmericaNovember 13, 2019

6:00 – 7:00 pm in the Chapel 

Join fellow members of Tribe for Women for a special Pre-Salon with Integrity First for America (IFA) on November 13 at 6pm! We will be joined by Amy Spitalnick, Roberta Kaplan, and Karen Dunn from IFA for an intimate reception and conversation about how their identities as Jewish women inform their work fighting white nationalist violence in our country. Wine and snacks will be served.

After our reception we will head together to the evening event at 7:00 pm to learn more about IFA’s important work.

Interfaith Families – Holiday PartyTuesday, December 3, 6:00 pm

It’s time to dress up, stand out, and celebrate our diversity! There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate the holidays, so why not have a little fun? Join our interfaith community for a potluck-style holiday party! Bring a food that reminds you of your fondest winter holiday memories. This event is open to the whole family – bring the kids! Childcare and a movie will be offered in a separate room so we can also have some adult time. We hope to see you there! RSVP for the address.

Young Families Saturday Morning Kids Shabbat ServiceNovember 16, 10:00 am, Chapel

Please join us for a Saturday Morning Kids Shabbat Service for families with children ages 5 and under!

This event is co-sponsored by the Jewish Baby Network.

Save the date!Advocacy and the Homeless Crisis in San FranciscoWednesday, November 20

(Stay tuned for exact time)

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Joshua Bamberger, Associate Director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, about the challenges that face us in ending homelessness in San Francisco and what works here and around the country. Learn more about the important work being done at this initiative and how you can get involved in advocating for crucial policy changes.

Larkin Street Youth ServicesSponsor a Sunday night dinner for youth experiencing homelessness: Cook, eat, and socialize with residents of G-House, a transitional housing program of Larkin Street Youth Services.

Sunday Dinners at G-HouseSundays, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

G-House, run by Larkin Street Youth Services, is a 20-bed housing program for San Francisco homeless young adults (ages 18–24) who are transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. G-House provides residents with tools to remove obstacles in their life that threaten a successful transition to independent living. Emanu-El has partnered with G-House to support the youth integrating into the community by bringing volunteers on Sunday evenings to cook, eat, and build meaningful relationships with the residents.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (cont’d.)

14 NOVEMBER 2019

Rabbis Jonathan and Beth Singer are the National Rabbinic Chairs of the campaign. Your Vote will help fund Reform Synagogues in Israel.

DO YOU BELIEVE THE REFORM MOVEMENT SHOULD HAVE A STRONGER PRESENCE IN ISRAEL?

The World Zionist Congress Elections are coming soon, and your vote is critical to maintaining a large Reform presence in Israel and the United States!

Your vote is the only democratic opportunity you have to influence Israeli society as we continue our efforts towards equality, pluralism and tolerance. Our congregation saw a positive voter turn out last election, but we know that we can do better.

Voting takes place online starting January 21, 2020 to March 11, 2020 and will take less than 90 seconds to participate. If you’re 18+ and identify as Jewish, we hope we can count on you to vote Reform.

Intrigueed? Visit the ARZA website to learn more: ARZA.org

If you would like to get involved:

What is the Tzedek Council?The Emanu-El Tzedek Council was launched in August 2015 as a congregant, board, and clergy-run group charged with the task of raising our participation and impact in the social justice arena.

www.emanuelsf.org/youthhomelessness/

EMANU-EL SF 15

Brown BagFirst Wednesday of every month, starting November 6

12:00 – 1:00 pm, Emanu-El 4th Floor Library

Limonata and Learning, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera

Our monthly drop-in learning sessions begin again on November 6. Join either of these no-host events — Brown Bag or Limonata and Learning — where a clergy member will lead a one-hour text study and discussion around a topic of their choice.

Make ‘em Laugh: Great Comic Songs from the Stage and ScreenNovember 19, December 3, 10, and 17, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Cost: $36 for members; $45 for nonmembers

In this four-part series taught by Bonnie Weiss, we’ll explore the development and proliferation of the tunes that tickle our funny bones — from the scintillating to the satiric to the silly. We’ll look at how the comedy song emerged on stage and screen and its many permutations through the years. And, because many creators of these comedic gems happen to be Jewish, we’ll look at how their religious and cultural heritage influenced their work. Plus, you’ll view performances of delightful ditties by such legends as Danny Kaye, Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, Bert Lahr, Groucho Marx, and more... Included will be patter songs, charm songs, political satires, and songs that mock the art of songwriting itself.

Limonata and LearningMonthly Marin Drop-In, No Host, Learning with Rabbi Jonathan

4:00 - 5:00pm

Book Passage: 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925

Join us one Wednesday a month for an hour of learning and engagement ranging from a rabbinic/Talmudic issue that speaks to today’s events to a cultural or spiritual discussion.

Dates for the year:

November 20 / December 4 / January 15 / February 12 / March 4 / April 1 / May 27

Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Executive Director of T’ruah Charles Michael Scholar-in-ResidenceThursday, December 5 — Saturday, December 7

Rabbi Jill Jacobs is the Executive Director of T’ruah. She is the author of Where Justice Dwells: A Hands-On Guide to Doing Social Justice in Your Jewish Community and There Shall Be No Needy: Pursuing Social Justice through Jewish Law and Tradition, both published by Jewish Lights.

Rabbi Jacobs has been named three times to the Forward’s list of 50 influential American Jews, to Newsweek’s list of the 50 Most Influential Rabbis in America, and to the Jerusalem Post’s 2013 list of “Women to Watch.” She holds rabbinic ordination and an MA in Talmud from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she was a Wexner Fellow; an MS in Urban Affairs from Hunter College, and a BA from Columbia University. She is also a graduate of the Mandel Institute Jerusalem Fellows Program. She lives in New York with her husband, Rabbi Guy Austrian, and their two daughters.

Tentative Schedule:

Thursday, December 5 — Special Young Adult Event off site

Friday, December 6 — One Shabbat Sermon followed by Dinner and Lecture

Saturday, December 7 — Torah Study

This event is made possible by The Charles Michael Lecture Endownment Fund.

ADULT LEARNING

FAMILY AND YOUTH YFE – A Place for Parents

We are inspired by the families that prioritize

Jewish life by registering their children for Sunday and Wednesday YFE — those parents who make time in their busy schedules to get kids to weekday Hebrew classes and meetings with clergy, and those who make sweet potato latkes for Chanukah. But as the school year accelerates after the High Holidays, let’s also remember the programs for parents; YFE provides several opportunities for parents (aside

from being just chauffeurs and cheerleaders).

Parents’ Place – NEW this year! Visit the Main Foyer on Sunday mornings where you’ll find fresh coffee, tables for socializing, and wifi for squeezing in a little work while your kids are in YFE. Sunday mornings may be a good time to go for a run or check out the farmer’s market, but why not stop by here beforehand and afterwards to see which of your fellow Emanu-El members might join you!

YFE Shabbat Dinners – NEW this year! On the third Friday of each month (starting in November), we welcome all families with 1st- to 6th-grade children to join us for Shabbat services followed by a communal family dinner. This has been a tradition for preschool families, and by request, it is now being extended to families with older kids. What better way to end the work week than to skip cooking, gather with friends, breathe and center yourself, and enjoy a delicious catered meal with wine! Join us for a pre-oneg at 5:30 pm, services at 6:00 pm (separate sermons/stories for adults and kids), and dinner at 6:45 pm. Register for our first YFE Shabbat on November 15!

Hebrew Naming – A Hebrew name is every Jewish child’s birthright. It connects them to a beloved deceased family member, it’s a name they can use when traveling to Israel, and it’s how they are called to the bima at their bar or bat mitzvah. Choosing a Hebrew name should be fun and meaningful — so join us for the 2nd Annual YFE Hebrew Names workshop with Rabbi Beth on Sunday morning, October 27. This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, engage in stimulating adult learning, and choose the perfect Hebrew name for your child(ren) if you haven’t already. This workshop will prepare you for the special Hebrew naming ceremony with your child(ren), bringing them one step closer to their roots and personal Jewish identity.

Orientation Days – For the second year in a row, on the first Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday of each YFE year, we invite parents to an orientation where they can connect with teachers, staff, and each other, and learn the goals of the program. Highlighting curriculum content, logistics,

and relationships, these orientation days have become an essential way to kick off each year.

Shabbat Experience – Grades K–5 provide many options for Jewish learning (Sunday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, Jewish Day Schools, and private tutors), and in 6th grade, we bring these divided tribes back together as one community for a monthly Shabbat celebration. Modern research as well as our tradition show that middle school age is a crucial time for parents to find new ways of connecting with their maturing tweens. Children at that age are on the verge of, if not already, facing intense social pressures and value judgements at school and in the world. But just as importantly, as they dive deeper into their b’nei mitzvah preparations, it’s a natural time for questioning, challenging, and procrastinating. Our once-a-month Shabbat Experience offers a proactive way for tweens to get the guidance they need and spend valuable “together time” with their families.

4th- & 6th-Grade Family Retreats – Shabbat is the day we celebrate by putting aside all the things that distract us from our connections to spirit and our best selves. We slow down; we don’t work, create, or destroy. In this special space, we take care of ourselves and open up. So it makes perfect sense that a weekend retreat — in which we leave behind our daily routines and distractions, and settle into a beautiful natural setting with community — would intensify the best parts of ourselves, our community, and Shabbat. As with the 6th-grade Shabbat Experience program, this is something the whole family engages in together. So many parents said of the connections they made last year, “Why did we wait so long?” In response, this year we are inviting 4th-grade families to join the 6th-grade families for our October 25–27 retreat at Westminster Woods in Occidental, California. Register today!

Family Days – Every grade has two Sundays a year (fall and spring) designed to facilitate a shared learning experience between you and your child. Often, time is dedicated for adult-level learning with a Rabbi before diving into a project with your child. These special mornings help bring insight into the class lessons and create an opportunity to personalize the curriculum to your family’s own experiences and values. You can find the dates for your grade’s Family Days on our online calendar: www.emanuelsf.org/learning/youth-and-family/calendar/.

As you can see, YFE isn’t just for kids. There are many opportunities for parents as well, and I look forward to seeing you all year long!

Lom Friedman Director of Education

16 NOVEMBER 2019

DEVELOPMENTDonate Online!Making a contribution to Emanu-El is a meaningful way to honor friends and family while supporting the synagogue. Please visit our website (www.emanuelsf.org/support-us/), select “Donate Now or Annual Giving,” and follow the steps to make a gift. You will receive an electronic confirmation, followed by an acknowledgment letter in the mail. If you need assistance, contact Shelby David in the Development Office at sdavid@emanuelsf.org or (415) 751-2541 ext. 177.

Appreciated Stock GiftsDid you know that you could make charitable gifts — including your Emanu-El Membership Dues and Impact Fund gifts — by donating your appreciated stock? This is a great way to avoid capital gains taxes while supporting the Congregation.

If you are making a stock gift, please use the following information:First Republic Securities Co, LLCAccount Name: Congregation Emanu-ElFor Further Credit to Account Number: 33L064574Clearing Firm: Pershing LLCPershing LLC DTC# 0443

Note: Please make the Development Office aware of your stock gift before it is transferred so your donation can be tracked and appropriately directed as you wish. Email Shelby David at sdavid@emanuelsf.org or (415) 751-2541 ext. 177.

Corporate MatchingMany Bay Area companies will match your gift dollar-for-dollar. Please contact your company’s matching gifts coordinator to obtain a matching gift form and determine whether your gift to Congregation Emanu-El can be matched.

Thank you to the following companies for matching our member’s donations.

EMANU-EL SF 17

Bring Smiles To Elder Congregants Celebrating a Birthday Milestone!  The Torah considers old age a virtue and a blessing. Throughout the Torah, “old” (zakein) is synonymous with “wise”; the Torah commands us to respect all elderly because the experiences that come with each additional year of life bring a wisdom which is unlike any other. 

In embracing this belief, we are looking for caring volunteers who can send handwritten birthday cards to fellow congregants who are celebrating a birthday of 85 years old or older. Each volunteer sends about 6 cards per month, and we supply the cards and envelopes. If you are interested in this very special at-home volunteer opportunity, please email Shelby David at SDavid@emanuelsf.org

18 NOVEMBER 2019

LIFECYCLESCondolences to Our Members Who Have Suffered Recent LossesSandra Rosenberg on the death of her husband, Leonard A. Rosenberg

John Atkins (Jodi) on the death of his father, and Leah and Sarah Atkins on the death of their grandfather, William Atkins

Dr. Natalie Sacks (John MacGregor) on death of her father, and Jacob MacGregor on the death of his grandfather, Gerald Enoch Sacks

Theodore Geballe on the death of his wife, Alison Geballe on the death of her mother, Daniel Geballe (Linda) on the death of his grandmother, and Mealea Geballe on the death of her great-grandmother, Frances “Sissy” Geballe

Ted Newman and Sara Newman on the death of their mother, and Cassandra Vera-Newman and Vianna Newman on the death of their grandmother, former board member Raquel H. Newman

Judy Langlios on the death of her mother, and Lily Langlios and Camille Langlois Loveman on the death of their grandmother, Olga Issenberg Gross

Our community, which mourns the loss of Yvonne Levy

Congregatulations to our Members on Their AchievementsBeth Waldman Keenan on being selected to speak at the 18th Annual PhotoAlliance Lecture Series on the significance of David Maisel’s artwork.

Laurie Beijen has been elected to the National Board of InterfaithFamily. She has served on the organization’s Bay Area Leadership Council for two years.

Longtime Jewish community leader Rita Semel was honored on Oct. 6 with the Mensch Award from the Mensch International Foundation, which seeks to create “a tolerant social order of values which respects minority rights and freedom of speech and worship.”

New MembersMs. Lyn AgreAdam BensingerMs. Debbie BensingerMichael BensingerMr. Gregory BensingerHunter BlockSavannah BlockMs. Michelle BrodyMoriah ChedekelMs. Claire ChedekelMr. Mark ChedekelAlea ChedekelJacob ChedekelMr. Rafael CosmanMs. Hannah DeboisMr. Benjamin DreierMr. Sean DunningtonMs. Raisa DyadkinaMr. Mac EstersMr. Robert FayMs. Susan FriedbergMr. Joshua GinsbergMrs. Joahn GinsbergZach GinsbergElla GinsbergMr. Steven GoldbergMs. Rebecca GoldenMr. Adam GoldyneZachary GoldyneEmma GoldyneMrs. Claudia GoldyneMrs. Diana GreenstoneMadeline GreenstoneMr. Scott GreenstoneCharles Greenstone

William GreenstoneMs. Wendi GrossMs. Hannah GrossmanMs. Linda HiguerasTatum HillMs. Lindsay HillCharlee HillElsie HillMr. Andrew HillMr. Jason JungreisMs. Amanda KatzensteinMr. Eric KleinMr. Greg LejnieksChloe LejnieksEmma LieglMs. Julie LieglMr. Jeremy LieglJane LieglMrs. Robyn LipskyMr. Nathan MayerMs. Danielle MeisterMr. Evan MintzMrs. Amy Nelder-LejnieksMr. Robert ParisMr. Josh RutbergMrs. Ashley RutbergMr. Aaron RuzinskyMr. Benjamin SandlerMrs. Phyllis ScottMr. David UlevitchMs. Lillian Van CleveMs. Anna WeinerMs. Sophie Wiepking-BrownMr. Tyler WoodsMs. Julie Woods

Rejoined MembersSasha BursteinMr. Seth BursteinMrs. Lana BursteinLayla BursteinAudrey BursteinSamuel EganElton EganMrs. Ann EganMr. William FleissigMs. Hayley GolubTyler HamiltonMrs. Amanda HamiltonMr. Adam HamiltonAriel KohnMia Kohn

Ms. Wendy KohnMr. Brian KrivoyMs. Judy LangloisDr. Madeline LevineMr. David SchwartzMrs. Michele SchwartzJeremy SchwartzDr. Lee SchwartzMila SingerMr. Martin SingerMs. Evelyn SingerMrs. Naomi SpiegelmanMr. Alan SpiegelmanMs. Katherine TickPriscilla Tsai

EMANU-EL SF 19

B’NEI MITZVAH

Celebrating a Shehecheyanu Moment?

Congregation Emanu-El is a partner in the transitional moments of our members’ lives. Be it a baby naming or

brit milah, bar or bat mitzvah, conversion or wedding ceremony, or a recovery from illness, the Temple clergy

and staff strive to ensure that each sacred “Shehecheyanu Moment” is deeply fulfilling and personal. A donation to

the Emanu-El Life-Cycle Fund is a lovely way to mark a personal life-cycle experience, to honor friends or family

celebrating a happy milestone or in gratitude for the services, the clergy provide during these profound moments.

Please donate online at www.emanuelsf.org/donate-now/ or call the Development office at (415) 750-7554.

Isaac HoffmanBar Mitzvah: November 2, 2019

Parents: Joshua Hoffman and Kathryn Morris

Torah Portion: Noah

Nathan and Ella DanielB’nei Mitzvah: November 2, 2019

Parents: Brent and Judy Daniel

Torah Portion: Noah

Julianne GrossmanBat Mitzvah: November 9, 2019

Parents: Gary Grossman and Michelle Sintov

Torah Portion: Lech L’cha

Eric Mittelman

Bar Mitzvah: November 9, 2019

Parents: Charito and David Mittelman

Torah Portion: Lech L’cha

Loden Ehrlich and Emmett Solomon SchaeferB’nei Mitzvah: November 16, 2019

Parents: Gregory and Annika Ehrlich, Karen Solomon and Matthew Schaefer

Torah Portion: Vayera

Michael WeinsteinBar Mitzvah: November 16, 2019

Parents: Jamie and Rory Weinstein

Torah Portion: Vayera

Declan ChabraBar Mitzvah: November 23, 2019

Parent: Tara Siegel

Torah Portion: Haye Sarah

Jacob BrodyBar Mitzvah: November 23, 2019

Parents: Alison and Michael Brody

Torah Portion: Haye Sarah

We are a vibrant, sacred Jewish community that is dedicated to advancing our members’ lifelong involvement in Judaism through worship, learning, good deeds, and congregant to congregant connections.

Beth Singer, Richard and Rhoda Goldman, Senior Rabbi

Jonathan Singer, Richard and Rhoda Goldman, Senior Rabbi

Sydney B. Mintz, Senior Associate Rabbi

Ryan Bauer, Senior Associate Rabbi

Carla Fenves, Rabbi

Jason Rodich, Rabbi

Marsha Attie, Cantor

Arik Luck, Ben and A. Jess Shenson, Cantor

Roslyn Barak, Senior Cantor Emerita

Stephen Pearce, PhD, Sr. Taube Emanu-El Scholar and Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, Emanu-El Scholar

David N. Goldman, Executive Director and General Counsel

Members of the Board of Directors

Alan Greinetz, President

Joel Roos, Vice President

Paul Zarefsky, Vice President

Sasha Kovriga, Treasurer

Ellen Fleishhacker, Secretary

Nersi BoussinaDale BoutietteSandi BragarSteven CohenBarrett CohnStuart CorvinJill EinsteinLara EttensonDonny Friend,

Rachel MelmanPaula PretlowRita SemelJim ShapiroLisa SternGunda TreppNoah WintroubHilary Zarrow

Past President

The Temple Chronicle (USPS 023-317) is published monthly except June and July for $36 per year by The Congregation Emanu-El, Two Lake Street, San Francisco, CA 94118. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Francisco, CA, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Temple Chronicle at Congregation Emanu-El, Two Lake Street, San Francisco, CA 94118.

PERIODICALCongregation Emanu-ElTwo Lake StreetSan Francisco, CA 94118www.emanuelsf.org

Leonard Bernstein wrote: “This will be our response to violence. To make music more intensely, more beautifully and more devotedly than ever before.”

He wrote this on November 22, 1963, upon learning of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

This is what great artists do in times of turmoil and trouble. They reach deep into their art for answers, for solace, for inspiration.

And so, our two gifted cantors, Arik Luck and Marsha Attie, respond to the turbulence and uncertainty of today across the world, searching for messages of PEACE in both historical and contemporary music. Across our liturgy and genres… in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English… from Bernstein to Brel to Broadway… and more.

Joined by a gifted cadre of exquisite Jewish voices from across the United States, they bring us KOLEINU:* Sing for Shalom. Now more than Ever.

Tuesday, November 19 7:00 pm Martin Meyer Sanctuary

Please join in on this remarkable journey. Tickets are available at: tinyurl.com/KOLEINUSHALOM Top row L to R: Arik Luck, Sharon Bernstein,

Joshua Breitzer, Galit Dadoun Cohen

Bottom row L to R: Marsha Attie, Yosef Goldman, Jason McKinney, Jennifer Strauss Klein